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2005/06/10

Michael Jackson Verdict almost here

SANTA MARIA, California - Almost 2300 media members have received authorization to cover the Michael Jackson trial one of the largest media frenzies for quite some time. Reports from all over the world gather as the largest ever media criminal trial comes to close.

The Courtyard littered with Satellite trucks and foreign correspondents struggle to capture what they can as the verdict draws closer. The explosion of potential phone calls in the area might even cause collapse of the system reporter Keith Burgass stated.

The Jackson fans crowd behind a chain-link fence as the jury still in deliberation after now a one-week mark. The face of the media crowd is clearly national as we are reminded that Jackson's popularity is global as media from over 20 countries gather.

The coverage of the Michael Jackson Trial is selling lots of newspapers in Britain where Jackson continues to have a very large fan base. As well Japan closely watches the trial unfold as they are contemplating using a jury based judicial system.

The buzz has also sparked a usage of the website www.eatmj.com which reporters are using almost daily as a guide for the local restaurants. Since the beginning of the trial some reporters are saddened by the fact they are saying goodbye to colleges as this was quite a gathering for them all.

Serbia denies report stating it knows fugitive Ratko Mladic

BELGRADE - A newspaper article indicated that Serbia might be hiding fugitive Ratko Mladic. Serbia denied the reports. The Daily Danas quoted an " impeccable source " as saying Mladic was hiding in Serbia. Danas said that it knew where but would keep it secret at this time.

Vladeta Jankovic ( a adviser to Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica) said "With full authority, I can deny the Serbian government has any such knowledge or that it has been given such information from anyone, these reports are unfounded".

Jankovic further stated that they were taking this very seriously and doesn't have the information reported by the media. It seems that the biggest hurdle stopping Serbia from joining the European Union and NATO membership is the capture of Mladic.

Mladic has been charged twice for genocide; the Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 Muslims in July 1995 and the Sarajevo slaughter claiming 12,000 lives. Their is a bounty of $5 million for the successful capture of Mladic.

Many predict the arrest of Mladic will be soon as a U.S. envoy visiting Belgrade makes its way their and his days in freedom are numbered.

Zaragoza Airport Attacked with rocket grenade

Friday June 10,11:53 AM PST

MADRID - The Zaragoza airport in Spain erupted in explosion after a rocket grenade went off diverting a plane to a nearby military base but failed to cause any injuries.

After securing the area Police found two rocket launchers in undergrowth 100 yards from the airport perimeter. One launcher was empty but one contained a active grenade which was defused by the bomb squad.

Operations returned to normal later that same day. This last attack is linked to the ETA since the Spanish has given its ultimatum to renounce violence in order to resume negotiations. Neither this attack nor the car bomb in Madrid caused serious injury.

Zapatero announced 178 ETA suspects have been jailed since he was elected 14 months ago.